Automatic window-safety latch



Dec. 10, 1929.

F. I. SMITH, JR

AUTOMATIC WINDOW SAFETY LATCH Filed Oct. 27, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l L, Li.

INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 10, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC WINDOW-SAFETY LATCH Application filed October 27, 1924. Serial No. 745,957.

This invention relates to devices for preventing the opening of windows from the outside, and applies particularly to the vertical-moving double-sash windows, with one or both of the sashes normally operable. Among the objects are to produce a safety device which will automatically function to latch the movable sash, or interlock both movable sashes, when the window is closed or when partially closed to the desired position, and while providing an automatically setting device to embody therewith adjustability, also to provide such devices with arsured efficiency, capable of cheap production,

simplicity and durability, and, in general,

to meet various requirements that provide for safety and the fulfillment of the services required of such an article.

It is known that devices are in general use which lock two sashes, when a window is closed, but which must be set after closing the window, and various devices for locking sashes may either not function reliably, many can be manipulated from the outside of the window for unauthorized ingress, others lock only when the window is completely closed providing no means of locking when partially closed, while others cause wear and damage becoming inefficient or useless after short use, and, in general, window safety devices have had one or more defects, and do not meet all of the requirements which are met by the invention herein set forth. This invention also provides for a construction of safety device which may be made in a single or limited number of sizes, and adjustable or adaptable to all sizes of windows, and by its simplicity avoids the use of mechanism liable to derangement of wear, and, in all, aims to produce an article of manufacture which once installed will most effectually meet all requirements and be as durable as the other permanent parts of the window structure.

Particular embodiments of my invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing one form of the device in position latching a window, and dotted in position permitting the opening of a window.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of window end,i. side view of latching devlce.

Fig. 3 1s a fragmentary cross-section on enlarged scale, on line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section on enlarged scale, on line 44, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side View on enlarged scale of the foot or lower end of the latching bar.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the upper member and attaching plate. 0 Fig. 7 is a perspective of the lower extension member.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled device with parts in modified form.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in section on larger scale, on line 99, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in section,

on line 1010, Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line 1111, Fig. 8, on larger scale.

These embodiments of the invention are illustrated with the window casing A, with the upper window sash B and the lower window sash C, with the upper sash frame I) and vertical frame I), and the lower sash top frame 0 and side frame 0'. Assembled for use on the window, the latching bar comprises the pivat bar 1 and the adjustable bar member 2. The pivot bar swings on the pin 4 supported on the plate 3 rigidly secured to the sash frame at the junction of b and b. The adjustable bar member 2 has a foot 2, a slot 5 and a wing nut 6 on the bolt 7 passing through the slot and attached to the swinging bar member 1. A claw 8 on the upper end of the adjustable or extension member 2, is 31 adapted to engage any one of a plurality of perforations 9 or recesses, in the swinging bar 1. The foot 2' at the lower end of extension member 2 provides a base for engagement with the top surface of sash frame a, with the lower surface 2 preferably inclined, so that the reaction in compression of the latching bar, will tend to bend the entire bar against the upper sash side frame member I). This slight inclination of the lower surface of the foot 4 is shown at an exaggerated angle for the purpose of illustration in Fig. 5. On one edge of the foot a roller 10 is supported by the pin 11 on the end of the adjustable bar 2 and adjacent the foot 2, but slightly above the extremity of the foot surface 2", so that roller will not engage the top of the sash frame 0 when the latching bar is in its locking position. The roller is so arranged that when .the latching bar is swung out of locking position, as,'for example, illustrated in dotted lines, Fig. 1, the roller 10 will engage the top surface of the sash frame 0 so that the act of opening, that is, raising thelowersa-sh C will automatically swing the" latching bar, with the roller 10 sliding easily onthe' top of the sash frame, and thereby olferno-resistanceto raising the lower sash to the top of the win- -dow,-barring onlytheshortspaceoccupied by the width of the latching bar whenin horizon- .talposition.fromitspivott.

The two members. LandZ, thus-provide an -ra-djustable latching bar with predetermined lengths of adjustment,z-at which-the end claw or stud Sengagesfirmly to resistcompression of the bar:onmutual-sliding-of\thetwo members,.'an d the wing nutfi provides for clamping the two members solidly together in the desired position of adjustment :for length. The adjustment for length maybetoprovide that one size-tot latchingmbar may be used for different sizes of wi-ndow sashes, and also the resist opening of the lower sash beyond a predetermined short distance. In this away the latching bar may be-use'd-to firmlyzlatch the upper and lower sash against relative movement with the window completely closed, or'a limited extentof' adjustment providesifor leaving the-lower sash openashort distance and: still latched against-any further movement which would ,permit unauthorized ingress fromthe outside o'fzthe window;

The further. advantages-w ill be understoo d from the motdifie'd'forinas shown in theother figures, in which the pivot bar 12 and the extension bar l3iareformed of through-crossof the trough sides provides for .a tight en- I gagementz and abinding in .orderto stiffen the bar'when latching .is set for .any predeterminedlength'of adjustment. Various forms of'cross-section may beiuse d in vorderto stiffen the fbaras a-strutto resistcompression-strains .due'to any attempt to raise elther .of the sashes, and advantages of-stiilness-and security-of clamping betweenthe surfaces of the two bars may be realized in --var1ous ways, while "the particularform herein described serves to illustrate particular factors of advantage, -which..may be, however, variously attained.

.lnithe modified. form the .bar121s pivoted against the window casement parts when it swings into locking position upon lowering or raising sashes to close the window. Such stop may be otherwise provided, but is preferably an embodiment with the regular parts of the device to avoid any necessity of adding an extra part for adjustment to the window. .The slot 17 in the adjustable section of the bar 13 is adapted to permit longitudinal adjustment with the clamping pin 18 end 22 formed to readily permit setting the clamp, aswell as releasing .it, while the ecso centricity of the clamping surface'21 assuresa hold-fast position, when the thumb "pressed endQQ 41s pressed down. against the ad ustable plate 13, as shown in .F igs. 8 and 10. The lower end of such through section member; Jmayhave the sides cut away and part of the end turned :at substantially right angles to form the.foot'23,wh1le another portion of the end is bent to provide engagement for the pin .24: .tocarry the roller '25, similar in ari rangement to the roller on the form shown in vAt the upper end of the ad ustable bar member, a pin or :lug 261s secured in a .manner adapted to register with the series of holes 2'. :27 111 the pivot bar 12, for adustment as to length, and a corner 28 of the pin 26 maybe beveled to assure the engagement with the desiredaholeand still leave a straight and square engagement in the directioniof thrust, between said stud andthe other i109 side of'thehole for adjustment. The'trough dimensions are sufficient to accommodate the size of material required when soconstructed.

"It will be seen that'the particular arrange ment of foot with a 'slightly inclined lower surface causeszthe tendency of the bars, as a f 11 whole, to bend in .the direction which you 'pressiit against the side frame-ofthe sash,

thereby assuring resistance to compression,

an dzunder excessive strain the outer edge of the foot surface being sharp,-would beforced 5115 into the wood of the sash and prevent itfrom slipping out of. its locking position.

In any of the forms herein described, it will .beseen that a window safety-latch is provided which maybe attachedrigidly for functioning, .as by'securing the pivot plate "to theupper sash frame 1n a position to avoid any interference withth'efnormal operation of the window. It provid s for attaching means which will not interfere with any reasonable movement .of the lower or upper sashes for openlng. lVhen opening the window fromthe inside a shght swing of the latching bar out of its vertical position permits the movement of the lower sash, whlch, F

upon engagement with the foot of the bar, readily moves the bar on its pivot without any resistance in the unlatched position.

lVhen a window is closed, the bar automatically lowers itself and finally drops into the latched position, so that unconsciously to the operator the window is latched against unauthorized ingress, with all of the locking parts out of position where tampering from the outside is impossible, except through breaking or destruction of the window.

'1 he construction is simple and cheap, and may be attached in a simple manner without injury to the sash, and engaging only substantial parts of the sash well adapted to resist any attempt at opening and the re sultant compression or strains on the latching bar. Ready adjustment is provided, for example, to permit latching the window in warm weather so that if raised a few inches it cannot be moved further without access from the inside. As an article of manufacture, furthermore, it can be made of light material and still capable of resisting all strains involved, so that it is economical for transportation and distribution. *vVhen in operation its location and compactness avoid interference with any normal manipulation of the window or adjacent parts.

Conditions of manufacture and design for different sizes or finish, may be accommodated by variations in dimension, form and arrangement, without departing from the spirit of my invention, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A window-latching bar comprising an adjustable strut member, a pivotal connection at the upper end secured adjacent the upper part of a window, a thrust foot formed integrally with the lower end, and anti-friction means on said foot adapted to engage an upper surface portion of the lower sash after the bar has been swung partially out of its vertical position.

2-. An article of manufacture, a windowlatching bar comprising two members together providing for the extension of the bar and joint fixed securing of the two members for predetermined lengths of strut, a thrustresisting pin interengaging the two members, and manual clamping means to clamp the two members rigidly together in adjusted position, and a foot at one end for engagement solely by pressure against a flat surface on one window member and having a surface substantially at right angles to the axis.

3. A window-latching device including a strut, means at either end thereof for attachment respectively to one sash and to automatically engage the other sash, said attachment means on the first sash resisting by compression the strain of attempted opening of said window and providing for means to cause the strut to press against the first sash when compression springs the strut laterally.

4. An automatic window-latching device including a compression strut stiff from endto-end, means of attachment thereof to a window sash remote from any sash joint accessible from the outside, and means whereby the strut assumes a locking position automatically on the closing of the window.

5. A window-latching device comprising means for preventing relative movement of two relatively sliding sash members, said means including a bar rigid from end to end adapted to swing as a rigid bar in a plane parallel to the window pane on a pivot attached to the upper part of the upper sash, and a foot on said means adapted to form a free contact pressure engagement with a horizontal surface on the lower sash when said means is in a substantially vertical position parallel with the plane of motion of the sashes.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this application, this 18th day of October, 1924.

FRED INMAN SMITH, JR. 

